At a Glance

Unearth the ancient secrets of Molokai, the most authentically Hawaiian island, known as the “Friendly Isle.” Take part in fishing, crafts, music and dance, discuss the preservation of endangered species and study history from the arrival of Polynesians and birth of the hula to early agriculture and Father Damien’s life. Journey past ranches, villages, bays and fishing grounds as you discover Hawaiian native culture.

Activity Level

Moderate

Walking up to a few blocks most days. On one all-day field trip, walk up to a half-mile.

Best of all, you'll ...

Descend by plane from the highest sea cliffs in the world to spend a day on isolated Kalaupapa Peninsula, where Father Damien’s historic service to leprosy patients earned him sainthood.

Learn the language and technique of hula dancing.

Take field trips to the Molokai Museum, Meyer Sugar Mill, ancient fishpond, Hawaiian-language elementary school and a private home.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Noelani Keliikipi

Born and raised on the island of Molokai, Noe is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools established by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop for the education of native Hawaiian students throughout Hawaii. Noe has been associated with the Molokai Road Scholar program since 1995. In addition to Road Scholar programs, Noe runs Molokai Museum and Cultural Center and the R. W. Meyer Sugar Mill. Popularly referred to as "Aunty Noe", she is the perfect teacher about "all things Molokai."

Noelani Keliikipi

Suggested Reading List

View 5 books

Molokai

by Alan Brenert

Contemporary view of Molokai island

Olivia

by Olivia Breitha

Autobiography of leprosy patient

Holy Man

by Gavan Daws

Biography of Saint Damien, who ministered to hundreds of leprosy patients at Kalaupapa.

Morning: Class: Primordial Beginnings to Modern Day Molokai. The islands of the Pacific were the last lands on earth to be settled. The Hawaiians believe the gods prepared this land, sea, plants, sky and all living things. They knew the nearest people lived to the south. Examine Hawaiian legends of creation of how the islands and life came to be and compare it to what we learn from geologists and anthropologists. Each island is unique and different. In depth study of: 1) Molokai Geology, Geography & Weather; 2) The Ahupua'a, From the Mountains to the Sea; 3) E Molokai, Aina Kaulana - Modern Molokai.

Lunch: Lunch at local restaurant

Afternoon: Class: Nation Within-The Story of America's Annexation of The Nation of Hawaii. You may never think of the history of Hawaii the same say again. Class: Island People, Island Values. Who are the island people? Why are their values so important to the survival of their culture? What is their future? Is there a place for them in the world?

Dinner: Dinner at local restaurant.

DAY

3

Molokai Museum, Hawaiian Immersion School, Hula Class

Kaunakakai, HI

B,L,D

Hotel Molokai

Activity note: All-day Field Trip

Breakfast: Breakfast Buffet at local restaurant.

Morning: Ground transportation in air-conditioned vans. A native Hawaiian guide rides along and talks about the various places on our journey. Molokai Museum: The 1878 R. W. Meyer Sugar Mill is the Museum's largest artifact. A museum docent takes you on an historical walk through the Mill, on the State and National Register of Historic Places. Examine the original Mill equipment and handwritten records of the German-Hawaiian family who started it all. Museum Gallery Exhibit: Enjoy this award-winning photo exhibit of Kalaupapa's history. Pohaku - Stones: Stones have spiritual power. The Ku'ula, an important stone of the fishermen, and the Pohaku Hanau, a great birth stone to support chiefly mothers in a semi-sitting position while giving birth give us an appreciation of the great knowledge of the Hawaiians. Examine these two stones and hear their voices. View Hawaiian Quilts owned by Molokai Museum, including an award-winning contemporary quilt of the 1878 R. W. Meyer Sugar Mill. Class: A Balance of Economics and Values. Molokai is the "last Hawaiian Island' with a population of approximately 7,500, of which 52 percent are native Hawaiians. They are passionate about "Keeping Molokai Molokai" and preserving their culture and lands for future generations. Our native Hawaiian instructor shares his feelings, ideas, thoughts and current issues facing our island and its future.

Lunch: At Molokai Museum. Prepared by our Museum staff using their treasured family recipes. Fresh fruits harvested from our garden and other delectable entrées are served. The recipes used will be given as a gift.

Afternoon: Hawaiian Immersion School: In 1896 the native Hawaiian language was banned in all public schools and public places. The ban was removed by state law in 1986 and within a year two immersion schools opened. You are there! Take your place in first or second grade for a unique Hawaiian educational experience with the keiki (children) leading the way. Purdy's Macadamia Nut Farm: In 1921, the U.S. Congress passed the Hawaiian Homestead Act for the rehabilitation of Hawaiians. Meet the Purdy family, native Hawaiian homesteaders, for an on-site visit to their farm--the only Hawaiian Homestead Macadamia Nut Farm in Hawaii. Discuss their business and compare it to other macadamia nut farms in the state. Enjoy delicious, fresh samples of all their products.

Morning: Descend by plane to Kalaupapa National Historic Park where a local expert takes you on a pilgrimage through the "lands of Father Damien". Once a thriving Hawaiian village, Kalaupapa became a "living tomb" when the land was purchased in 1865 by the Hawaiian government for a leper colony. The Kalaupapa story is about more than 8,000 persons--men, women and children--taken from their families, man's inhumanity to man, and the courage and dedication of humanitarians who served the lepers.

Lunch: Picnic lunch at Kalaupapa National Historic Park.

Afternoon: Picnic at Kalawao, cold, wet and windswept, where the first inmates, yes, they were called inmates, came ashore. The beauty of the magnificent sea cliffs, a National Historic Landmark, are the only witnesses to the horror so many of mankind endured for being diagnosed with leprosy. What is next for Kalaupapa when the last patient passes away?

Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.

Evening: Class: Voyage of Rediscovery - The Hokule'a Hokule'a: Polynesians sailed the entire Pacific Ocean, the largest ocean, larger than all the land in the world put together. They perfected wayfinding, sailing millions of square miles of open ocean with a purpose, using their knowledge of astronomy, meteorology, oceanography, navigation and birds to find land. One of the first two women in modern times (1975) to sail on the double-hull, voyaging canoe Hokule'a, takes you on her voyage of self discovery.

DAY

5

Molokai's East End: Nene, Fishponds, Halawa Valley

Kaunakakai, HI

B,L,D

Hotel Molokai

Activity note: All-day field trip

Breakfast: Breakfast Buffet at a local restaurant

Morning: Ride in air-conditioned vans with a native Hawaiian guide to the dramatic East end of Molokai. Travel a coastal two-lane road with the islands of Lanai, Kahoolawe and Maui in clear view. Visit Nene, the most endangered goose in the world, and other birds of the Hawaiian flyway. Learn about endemic coastal plants, then step inside the beautiful, oceanfront home of our hosts for a brief lesson on the benefits of recycling and Hawaiian architectural design. The Hawaiian system of land use allowed access to all resources from the mountains to the sea. Fishponds required specialized technology to ensure an abundance of food from the sea from generation to generation. Our visit to a restored fishpond allows us insight into the Hawaiian concept of aquaculture, history, use and decline, restoration, issues and concerns.

Lunch: Picnic lunch at old Hawaiian church in historic Halawa Valley.

Afternoon: Enjoy a walk back in time to Halawa Valley, site of the first settlers of the island. Halawa is the oldest known human habitation on Molokai - 650 A.D. View the efforts of local families to live sustainably without electricity and telephones.

Lunch: Picnic lunch at West End beach, one of the longest white sand beaches in the state.

Afternoon: After lunch, enjoy some free time to walk, swim, relax, meditate, or dip toes in the ocean before returning to hotel. Later, join the weekly gathering of Hawaiian musicians and dancers until it's time to leave for the luau at Molokai Museum.

Dinner: Luau at Molokai Museum.

Evening: Your week with us calls for a celebration. Experience a traditional luau in your honor through food, music, hula and conversation. The luau is prepared by our staff; entertainment by our Museum family.

DAY

7

Program Concludes

Kaunakakai, HI

B

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet at local restaurant

Morning: "Aloha is Spoken Here" on Molokai. When you leave, please take the aloha spirit with you. We do not have a word for goodbye. The Hawaiians say, "A Hui Hou" - until we meet again. And so we bid you "A Hui Hou". Program ends after breakfast at 8:30 am

Meals

17 Meals

6 Breakfasts

5 Lunches

6 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance:

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

This was an excellent program. Very varied and informative. The hotel was fine, but the dining in a local small restaurant in town was just fair. Unfortunately, we had to leave the hotel very early for breakfast, with no way of skipping it and still being included in the day's activity.
The trip was identified as "EASY" which it was not. There was much walking on very uneven ground and getting on and off small planes and old school buses. The director told us she had requested a new category and (I see in the catalog) it has been changed.

first let me say what a big disappointment this trip was, i will never take another trip with your company again. I'm retired but took a part time job so i could go on this trip. It stated easy, it was not,also two days before we leave we get a call that the restaurant and bar thats associaed with hotel and right there on premesies has shut down,no food or drink. So most days we had to load into a minivan three times a day to drive into town and eat meals not at a normal restaurant a makeshift one, no menu, no hot food always lukewarm to cold. 1/3 of people with canes, some over 80.I'm 69 so loading and unloading took quite awhile,wasted time. Some days we had packed lunchs they were so-so. Some of the tours were cancelled because the speakers were unavailable,For the amount of money we paid for this trip i expected so much more,as being my first time to Hawaii, a trip of a lifetime and all i can think of is that minivan,climbing in and out,everyone was so fed up.I wish i had taken a picture of the inside of this so called restaurant to show you. I realize that the hotel being the only one on the island was all we had to house us,thats so outdated.Has anyone from road scholar ever visited Molokai and did the tour you adveritse? i dont think so. The woman Noe was rude and would lose her patience with some of the people . so as of right now no more road scholar for me,also went on trip with sister and cousin who by the way have traveled with you before. so they are really disappointed. so i pretty sure you have lost 3 customers. I will be sure to let everyone i know to stay away from your company. you should be hearing from some others.

I was curious about Molokai and saw this program as an opportunity to learn about the island. I am so glad I did because you just could not figure the place out without such an organized program. Even though it was just 5 days I have great memories and care for the people there and their history.

The very best of our dozen-plus Road Scholar trips. An engrossing, fascinating look at a unique place and people. Molokai will NOT give in to tourism, and I'm still thinking about why and how they are unique -- but I learned to appreciate these people. They do not wish to change the island; the island changes them. Maybe it changed me.